Photo: PAKUTASO
national

Last train on Yamanote line in Tokyo to leave 27 minutes earlier

16 Comments
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24

In Tokyo, the party can keep going all night, with bars, pubs, and clubs that stay open until the morning light. However, if you’ve got something else you’d like to do before sunrise, like, say, go home and get some sleep, you’ll want to keep the time of your last train in mind while you’re out partying.

Sure, you could always grab a taxi, but cabs are already expensive in Japan, and they increase their rates for late-night rides (a 20-some-odd-minute taxi ride in nocturnal Tokyo can easily run you 5,000 yen, so the train really is your, and your wallet’s, friend. Unfortunately, the most important train line in Tokyo is about to move the time of its last train up by roughly 30 minutes.

The JR Yamanote Line runs in a loop around downtown Tokyo, passing through nightlife hotspots like Shibuya and Shinjuku, plus Harajuku and Ikebukuro. But for passengers wanting to make their way from those stations to Shinagawa, one of Tokyo’s most convenient transfer hubs, at the southeast tip of downtown, the timetable for the last train is going to be changing due to large-scale construction taking place near Shinagawa, which is precluding the use of storage depot tracks for cars going out of service for the night.

For example, previously the last train from Shibuya to Shinagawa left Shibuya Station at 1:07 a.m., but under the new timetable, you’ll need to be on the 0:40 a.m. train, 27 minutes earlier, if you want to make it to Shinagawa. Other changes include:

● Last train from Ikebukuro to Shinagawa: 0:51 a.m.→0:24 a.m.

● Last train from Shinjuku to Shinagawa: 1 a.m.→0:33 a.m.

● Last train from Yoyogi to Shinagawa: 1:02 a.m.→0:34 a.m.

● Last train from Osaki to Shinagawa: 1:16 a.m.→0:49 a.m.

It’s worth noting that the previous last trains to Shinagawa aren’t being discontinued entirely (except for the 1:16 train from Osaki). However, under the new schedule, they’ll only go as far as Osaki Station, one station west of Shinagawa and a 22-minute walk away, which is probably too far to make it on foot if you need to catch another train from Shinagawa to get back to your home or hotel.

The new schedule goes into effect the night of March 16.

Source: Livedoor News/MAG2 News via Hachima Kiko

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© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

16 Comments
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Doesn't really bother me because I'm at home or have dedicated myself to staying out all night but, why would they change it?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@deadforgood If I read the original article correctly, they used to stop trains at Shinagawa after the last train but have decided to move them to a different location therefore they adjusted the train schedule. I might be making this all up....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@papigiulio

Perhaps, its a bit confusing. Either way, they aren't running as late as they once were is the point.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

 the timetable for the last train is going to be changing due to large-scale construction taking place near Shinagawa,

I'm not as reveller and do not spend my nights in bars in Tokyo. However, this is absolutely absurd and is going to drastically effect many businesses. Have they come up with any kind of compensation plan for the businesses that will be affected? Of course not! It's just a big 'stiff poop' to you! This train runs in a circle. There is no reason why the trains cannot run from each side of Shinagawa station. Shinagawa is the terminal for the train and it joins to other lines. The other lines are also going to be effected.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It really is sad that a modern city like Tokyo does not have 24 hour public transportation. Even on New Year's, I found myself stuck in Yokohama.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Basically the last train will stop at Ozaki instead of Shinagawa.

A taxi ride from Ozaki to Shinagawa will still help you connect to the last train of your transfer.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The bars and clubs are got gonna like this.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This will be unhelpful to people who work at night. Forced to drive the car as taxis are too expensive.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Why are there no night buses?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Internet cafe owners rejoice!

Kind of silly that Tokyo doesn't have 24 hour transit on at least limited capacity. Perhaps this is a conspiracy to protect public morals.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Considering that they want to get foreign tourists to enjoy nightlife, this is a bad move.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why are there no night buses?

Can't pack 'em tight enough to make a profit.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Just do skywalks (moving sidewalks) as in airports. Different tracks for different speeds, up to 700 kph. Always running, just step on...the slowest track first.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why are there no night buses?

Can't pack 'em tight enough to make a profit.

London has a smaller population than Tokyo and the night buses are packed. A cheap way of getting home after work or a night out. I use them myself.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ridiculous. They should be moving the last train to.....never. At least the Yamanote should run 24/7. So many people live within the Yamanote loop and izakaya and bars would enjoy increased business...not to mention that Salarymen might be home in the morning to see their families (maybe). Oh and people like me would like to be able to go home at 3am after partying in Nichome. The hours of 3-5am can be very fun, but they can also be not fun at all if tired and half-drunk.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Get a Bicycle.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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